Do I need a permit to remove a tree in East Gwillimbury?

Yes. Trees meeting the protected threshold (20 cm diameter at breast height, measured 1.37 m above existing grade) require a permit before removal. Dead trees may be exempt. Confirm with the city's urban forestry department before proceeding.

How long does a tree permit take in East Gwillimbury?

Processing time in East Gwillimbury is typically Not published by the Town; permits are valid for 1 year from issuance. Submitting a complete ISA-certified arborist report with your application reduces the chance of delays.

What is the penalty for removing a tree without a permit in East Gwillimbury?

Fines in East Gwillimbury range $250 to $25,000 (individual, first conviction) up to $10,000 to $100,000 (corporation, subsequent conviction). The city can also require replanting at the owner's expense.

Service Area

Arborist Reports in East Gwillimbury

Tree removal permits and construction arborist reports for York Region, prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist for municipal review.

Permit required at 20 cm DBH

Application fee: No application fee
Processing time: Not publicly published by the Town

20cm DBH

protected tree threshold

2 days

report turnaround

21+

GTA municipalities served

Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Ontario.

Permit required at 20 cm DBH

Application fee: No application fee
Processing time: Not publicly published by the Town

Tree Bylaws in East Gwillimbury

East Gwillimbury's Private Tree By-law 2024-077, in force since November 2024, protects private trees 20 cm or larger in diameter, measured 1.37 metres above grade. It is one of the newer bylaws in York Region, and much of the town also sits on the Oak Ridges Moraine, which layers Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority review on top of the municipal permit for many properties.

The Town calculates Tree Protection Zones using the York Region formula: a flat 2.4 metre radius for trees under 25 cm DBH, and diameter times 0.10 metres for larger trees. Replacement uses the Aggregate DBH Method, where the sum of removed diameters divided by six sets the number of replacement trees, with cash-in-lieu available at a published per-unit rate when on-site planting isn't practical.

We prepare arborist reports to the Town's nine-section report format, calculate TPZ and replacement obligations under the current formula, and flag early when a property's location on the Oak Ridges Moraine will pull LSRCA into the approval process.

East Gwillimbury Tree Bylaw at a Glance

Minimum Diameter

20 cm diameter at breast height, measured 1.37 m above existing grade, for private and neighbouring trees

Permit Fee

No application fee under By-law 2024-077

Processing Time

Not publicly published by the Town; permits are valid for 1 year from issuance

Penalty

Individuals: $250 to $25,000 for a first conviction, $500 to $50,000 for a subsequent conviction. Corporations: $5,000 to $50,000 for a first conviction, $10,000 to $100,000 for a subsequent conviction. Up to $100,000 where economic gain was the purpose of the contravention.

Special Zones

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) review required in regulated areas and on the Oak Ridges Moraine; York Region Forest Conservation By-law applies to woodlands over 1.0 hectare and woodlots 0.2 to 1.0 hectare

View official bylaw

Bylaw details verified 2026-05-08.

See how East Gwillimbury compares to other municipalities in our GTA tree bylaw comparison.

Before starting tree work in East Gwillimbury

Check the East Gwillimbury permit portal before any tree work begins. Bylaw requirements change, and fines for unpermitted removal start at Individuals: $250 to $25,000 for a first conviction, $500 to $50,000 for a subsequent conviction. Corporations: $5,000 to $50,000 for a first conviction, $10,000 to $100,000 for a subsequent conviction. Up to $100,000 where economic gain was the purpose of the contravention..